12 Deputies have provided a letter to Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez, the President of Policy and Resources, regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza. 

The letter from Deputy David Dorrity expresses deep concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, and the damage being caused by Israel. 

It’s a call to Action for Guernsey, with the Deputies urging Deputy de Sausmarez, to use her voice to call for justice, peace, and decisive action.

They specifically ask her to write to the UK Government, particularly the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, to impress upon them the gravity of the situation.

Who are the deputies involved, and what are they saying?

The letter was signed and sent by Deputy David Dorrity, with signatures from Deputy Tina Bury, Deputy Andrew Niles, Deputy Neil Inder, Deputy Marc Leadbeater, Deputy Jennifer Strachan, Deputy Rhona Humphries, Deputy Haley Camp, Deputy Garry Collins, Deputy Jayne Ozanne, Deputy Andy Cameron, and Deputy Marc Laine.

The Deputies highlight several key points, including a focus on housing, with reports suggesting that over 70% of Gaza’s properties being destroyed or made uninhabitable, and the vital infrastructure that has been decimated.

The letter mentions the number of casualties, and the fact over 58,000 Palestinians have been killed since 7th October 2023, (as of 22nd July 2025, according to OCHA), with a significant proportion of those killings being children.

The Deputies reference the UN Secretary-General, who has stated that famine “has taken hold” in parts of Gaza. A March 2025 report indicated that nearly the entire population of 2.2 million people is experiencing acute food insecurity. Increasing obstruction of humanitarian aid has made mass starvation “inevitable unless swift international action is taken”.

It’s not just a letter filled with statistics. It’s also got a call for Guernsey to take action. The letter asks Deputy De Sausmarez to call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, full and unimpeded humanitarian access to the region, and rapid recognition of Palestinian statehood as a step toward lasting peace.

The letter emphasises that this is about lives and humanity, not politics, and that the people of Guernsey expect their leaders to take a principled and compassionate stand.

Deputy Dorrity also makes note of Guernsey’s history when it comes to humanitarian values: “Guernsey has a proud history of standing up for humanitarian values, especially in times of profound injustice. While we may not have direct responsibility for foreign policy, we do have a moral voice. As Chief Minister, you are in a unique position to convey the deep concern felt by many islanders and to call for urgent action.”

You can read the letter in full below: